Then duck into the nearby National Trust Centre where you'll find the
S H Ervin Gallery, a non-commercial art gallery, specialising in the best
Australian figurative art.

An easy stroll away, down the hill to Circular Quay, is the Museum of
Contemporary Art (MCA) (on George St. North) which displays only contemporary
art works, both Australian and international. The exhibitions are often
better than the disjointed display spaces in this 1940s art deco building.
At the opposite (eastern) end of Circular Quay is the fascinating Justice
and Police Museum in the historic former Phillip Street police station
- see the clobber of real cops, robbers and convicts.

Five minutes' taxi ride from The Quay, up on Macquarie Street, is The
Mint Museum, a restored wing of the 1816 'Rum Hospital'. In 1851 this
building became the first branch of the Royal Mint outside London, and
produced gold coins until 1927. It is now a museum of Australian decorative
arts, coins and stamps.

The Mint's neighbouring Georgian-style Hyde Park Barracks was commissioned
by Governor Macquarie in 1819 and designed by convict architect Francis
Greenway. It is now a museum of the social history of NSW from convict
days to the 1950s, with displays on themes of immigration, public celebrations
and the founding of Australia.

A short walk east across the Domain parkland from Macquarie Street brings
you to the Art Gallery of NSW (in Art Gallery Road). Its Classical facade
belies the flexibility and breadth of the Australian, international and
Asian collections within.

There are surprises and masterpieces lurking everywhere among its galleries.
Of particular interest are fine works by Australian artists such as Tom
Roberts, Arthur Streeton, Conrad Martens, Sydney Nolan, Brett Whiteley,
Fred Williams and Margaret Preston.

The Australian Museum (corner of William and College Streets) holds the
country's largest collection of natural history (marine life, birds, mammals,
fossils, minerals) exhibits and excellent Aboriginal displays. Admission
is free.

Across town, just west of Darling Harbour, is the fascinating Powerhouse
Museum (on Harris St, Ultimo). This 1899 power station and former tram
depot was renovated to house the huge collection of the Museum of Applied
Art and Science. Dynamic displays involve the visitor in 'hands-on' experiences.
Five major themes - science, technology, decorative arts and social history
- encompass such apparitions as the state's first train engine, bush kitchens
and even a space shuttle. Allow plenty of time for this one, especially
if you have kids in tow.

Darling Harbour also has a nautical museum on its western shore. Beneath
the sail-like roofs of the National Maritime Museum is an intelligent
and accessible recreation of Australia's long maritime history.

Sydney's numerous commercial art galleries cater for most tastes in
art, from Outback kitsch to postmodern obsessive. Check the Sydney Morning
Herald's listings on Friday (Metro section) or Saturday for details, or
see the Yellow Pages telephone book. Many private galleries are located
in the Paddington-Woollahra area. For quality contemporary Australian
painting, sculpture and craft, check the following - Robin Gibson, Australian
Galleries, Roslyn Oxley, Stills (photography), Mori, Michael Nagy, Mary
Place, Watters, Hogarth, Old Bakery, Gallery VC, Ivan Dougherty and the
Glass Artists' galleries.

Most visitors are interested in Aboriginal art, and the best traditional
works on public display are found in the Art Gallery of NSW and the Australian
Museum. Purchasable work - some of it touristic - such as bark paintings
and didgeridoos may be found in gift shops around The Rocks. For better
quality work, head for Hogarth Galleries (Paddington), the Aboriginal
Art Shop (Opera House) and Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-op (Annandale).

Despite the fact that Sydney city has its back turned firmly to the inland,
much of life and art in the early colony of New South Wales took place
west of the city at Parramatta. Old Government House, built in 1790, was
the official vice-regal country residence and remains the country's oldest
public building. Located in Parramatta Park, it is now a museum containing
l9th-century Australian furniture.

Elizabeth Farm House (in Alice St) was established in 1793 and was the
residence of merino sheep farmers, John and Elizabeth Macarthur.

Macarthur dominated colonial society and his house was an important social
centre for the colony. Today it is a museum furnished in early colonial
style.